Cooking 101

One area I had to conquer when I got married was... the kitchen. We need food to stay alive, right?

And... I love to eat!!! I love food. It's just not obvious, especially now that I am breastfeeding and my son is really really active, so he makes me really thin.

If you knew me from before I got married, you know I fear the kitchen. I fear the splatter of the oil while cooking. I do not like the smell of onions or garlic especially on my hand. I would rather eat or wash dishes and enjoy the water. But people change, at least I know I did.

Background, my dear lola, who raised me while my parents were working, does not really cook. She was more into baking. Leave it to the maids. She's your typical Señorita. And I remember my meals consist of either hotdog or bacon with eggs. My mother, only likes to eat, and well, tell our awesome cook/helper what to cook. In fairness to my mom, she makes sure to choose really delicious and good food. She kinda knows how to cook, but prefers not to. So you get the picture, I got it from them. I did not want to cook. I only want to eat.

But my life is a lot different from them, I have no maid/cook to do that for me. Borrowing my father's line, "You have to learn!" Besides, how can I eat? What will my husband eat if no one will cook? 

So, my journey to cooking began. I'm two years married already. In those two years, I gradually had to overcome the fear of the splatter of the oil. I still scream when it happens. I had to just keep washing my hands or rubbing it on steal (is that what you call it?), like the sink or the sides of the knives, to remove the garlicky smell. And those are just some of my experiences in the journey.

Tuna Pasta: I used Clara Ole' Chunky Tomato Basil as sauce and added parmesan cheese

I want to share a few things I learned that I hope will encourage others (newly married, single, or whatever) to conquer your fears! At least, of the kitchen.

1. Plan your menu and do your groceries from there.
Maybe many veteran moms or kitchen-lovers do this already. I didn't know this until now. In the beginning, I went to the grocery, buy what I thought were essential. Get half a kilo of chicken thighs, half a kilo of country style pork, half a kilo of ground beef, some onions and garlic, maybe a bottle of dried basil, etc. I do this without a planned menu. I ended up cramming for recipes. And thanks to Google, I found a lot. But several times, the ingredients required by the recipe is something I do not have. Sometimes we end up throwing away food because we never used them. 
Now, since I started planning the menu first, my freezer has more space. And I think that's a good thing. Less consumption of electricity. I am more efficient doing it the other way around. When you plan your menu first (I try to do mine weekly or every two weeks), it becomes easier to do the grocery. Because you know exactly what you need, you do not waste time and you save more money.

2. Take advantage of fellow moms or friends who like cooking or good at it. Or in my case, our beloved all-around helper, Ate Ging!
Often times, the recipes I try are those that I have tasted or I think I like from my own home, my husband's, or of friends. With that you are sure that you will like it. There were times at the beginning that I didn't get the same result as what was shared with me. It was a great disappointment for someone like me who wants to get things right always. Haha. But my husband made me realize that I should go easy on myself, since I am new to this. Of course, for the times I felt I did well, it was rewarding!

3. Google is your best friend.
I said that, at the beginning of this cooking journey, I go to Google to cram for recipes. I still do, especially when I want to try something new. But this time, I go to Google then I make the grocery list. I take time to read the reviews and see from there if it's worth trying. Almost always what I end up making is something my husband and I enjoy and add to our recipe folder.
Oh, other than Google, I also buy Yummy Magazine. Some of their dishes are newbie-friendly. Some are kinda challenging. There are also cooking websites. Actually there are lots!
Here are two of the websites:
Yummy
Panlasang Pinoy

4. Keep a recipe folder. Or box.
Or whatever it is that will help you organize and keep your favorite meals. I used to go back and forth my computer or phone just to check the recipe. It was such a hassle and sometimes gross, especially when you used your hands to chop meat then need to check your phone for the next step. We printed our recipes and put them all in a clear folder. I know others used index cards years ago.

5. When you can, and when you really need to, ask help. Delegate!
When I am too tired or not feeling well, when I feel there are too many chopping and washing needed, I ask help. Sometimes it's the yaya of my son who cooks. I kind of taught her some of the simpler recipes. Sometimes, my husband volunteers, or sometimes I ask him. Sometimes, I share the tasks with either of them. Someday when my son is old enough to help out, I'll let him do some tasks as well.

There you go. Still in the beginning of the journey of cooking. Special thanks to the people who boost my confidence and encourage me in this area, specially my husband, who eats what I cook no matter what.

Gambas: This wasn't so successful but I plan to try it again

To those still hesitating, hope my journey will somehow enlighten you. To those who wish to share your simple recipes with me, please do so!

Thanks for reading! God bless.

Hope you'll continue to take the ride with me.